ReddingFiredUp

The Ravens hope they found their new starting defensive end as they signed free agent Cory Redding to a two-year, $6 million deal Monday.

Redding, 29, who played for the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks, was once considered the top inside pass rusher in the league. But questions about his knee injury and a drop-off in production caused him to sit for two weeks on the free-agent market.

By reaching a deal with Redding, the Ravens don’t have any holes remaining in their starting lineup, which allows them to select the best player available with the 25th overall pick in the draft.

I think that last statement is maybe the most important reason for today’s signing. It allows the team to once again follow it’s “best player available” formula that has proven successful more times than not in the past.

But the Redding signing does fill a need with Baltimore losing both Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards to free agency in the past month.

Redding appears to be a similar player and is being touted as an “inside” pass rusher. He is versatile and can move from Tackle to End or whatever the situation calls for. His career high in sacks was 8 in 2006 with the Lions.

However I wouldn’t expect high totals for 2010. Redding was still out on the market after a fair 2009 campaign with the Seahawks. Which makes you wonder why the Ravens didn’t try and re-sign the former second round pick, Edwards instead.

Perhaps Baltimore, like some other teams are still concerned about Edwards’ neck, which was surgically repaired in 2008. Either way the move looks to be at the very least one that will provide depth on the line.